True capitalism would lower cost of health care
Two main reasons health care is so expensive are insurance companies and hospitals, in that order. Insurance companies want health care to be very expensive so that you fear not having health insurance would jeopardize your home or possessions should you have a large claim. Hospitals also want health care to be costly, as they stand to profit significantly from high charges.
There is no true capitalism at play here; the insurance companies and hospitals are essentially on the same side. When you purchase health care, you often do not know what it costs. There is a lack of transparency.
The first change that should be made is to prohibit insurance companies from contracting with providers. This way, as a consumer or patient, you can visit the insurance company’s website to see what it pays for a procedure, and then check the hospital’s website to determine what it charges. By introducing capitalism, a free market and transparency into the system, private competitors would emerge to compete, leading to lower prices.
Dr. Douglas Shoenberger
Lower Saucon Township
Dodgers, Blue Jays put on spectacular World Series
It’s over! The Los Angeles Dodgers have stormed the summit — World Series champions once again! In a season of grit, fire and relentless pursuit, the boys in blue have carved their name into October/November immortality. Dodger Stadium roars, the city of angels ascends!
But let it be said — the Toronto Blue Jays did not fall, they flew. With heart, hustle and a northern roar that echoed across the continent, they turned every inning into a battle, every pitch into poetry. Tey bowed out with pride, not defeat. Baseball remembers warriors, and the Jays were just that.
Just the past week, the Dodgers reigned supreme (not without controversy) — but the diamond never sleeps. To every team across the leagues: sharpen your bats, steel your nerves and ready your hearts. Because in 2026, the chase begins anew. The battle for baseball’s soul is coming — and history waits for no one.
Twenty-five major league teams out of 30 have won World Series. Only the Milwaukee Brewers, the Seattle Mariners, the San Diego Padres, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies have not. And two new major league franchises may be added before 2032.
Dennis Pearson
East Penn Township
Johnson’s No Kings criticism shows contempt for US ideals
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson suggested the Oct. 18 No Kings protesters are terrorists who hate America and “don’t want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic.”
I have news for Speaker Johnson: This country was founded on the principle of not having a king. It was founded on “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” It was also founded on freedom of speech and the press. All the things the No Kings Day protesters were standing by and defending while Johnson is attacking them for doing so.
For 249 years, not wanting a king, a dictator, an authoritarian government has been the most patriotic thing any American can do. It was why we fought the American Revolution. So what is on full display is Speaker Johnson’s contempt for presidential accountability, the Constitution, free speech, the right to protest, and other freedoms this country was founded on. This country was also founded on the principle of coequal branches of government and not having a Congress that has become a lapdog for a president under Speaker Johnson’s so-called leadership (apparently with Congressman Ryan Mackenzie’s support).
Timothy Gruber
Salisbury Township
True capitalism would lower cost of health care
Two main reasons health care is so expensive are insurance companies and hospitals, in that order. Insurance companies want health care to be very expensive so that you fear not having health insurance would jeopardize your home or possessions should you have a large claim. Hospitals also want health care to be costly, as they stand to profit significantly from high charges.
There is no true capitalism at play here; the insurance companies and hospitals are essentially on the same side. When you purchase health care, you often do not know what it costs. There is a lack of transparency.
The first change that should be made is to prohibit insurance companies from contracting with providers. This way, as a consumer or patient, you can visit the insurance company’s website to see what it pays for a procedure, and then check the hospital’s website to determine what it charges. By introducing capitalism, a free market and transparency into the system, private competitors would emerge to compete, leading to lower prices.
Dr. Douglas Shoenberger
Lower Saucon Township
After government failures, vote out all incumbents
As our government in Pennsylvania cannot pass a budget, long overdue, and the federal government has been shut down for well over a month. I plan on voting against any incumbent up for reelection, as they clearly are unable to do their job and serve their constituents. This past election, and the midterms. I hope you agree and will do the same.
Ed Kerins
Upper Saucon Township
Congress is fixated on the wrong problems
Now President Trump sends an aircraft carrier to Latin America to help assure us the U.S. can win a war against Venezuela. Now, he considers military intervention in Nigeria. If we win both wars, he can invite his friends to a celebration in the new White House ballroom.
He exerts limitless wartime executive power, continuing to ignore courts and Congress. This brings up an obvious question. Do we still have a Congress? Maybe not, because Congress is still obsessed about Trump’s Epstein connection, which the great majority of Americans could not care less about.
Sheldon Siegel
South Whitehall Township
Trump administration helps rich at expense of poor, middle class
This year, President Trump and the Republicans in Congress passed their so-called “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which extended huge tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires and corporations that were originally passed during Trump’s first term in office.
They also declined to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that are due to expire at the end of the year, thereby doubling the monthly premiums that 20 million-plus members of the middle class and working families will pay in order to receive health insurance next year.
Worse, rather than negotiate a subsidy extension with the Democrats in Congress, Trump and the Republicans allowed the government to shut down.
In addition, while the House Republicans have gone home for an extended paid vacation, Trump declined to authorize the $5 billion emergency SNAP fund (until ordered to by courts), thereby refusing to feed 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, effective Nov. 1.
The shutdown also conveniently prevents the release of the Epstein files.
Trump’s America: Tax cuts, extended paid vacations and protection from prosecution for the rich and powerful; hunger, unaffordable health insurance and exploitation for the middle class and working families.
Robert K. McFadden
Upper Macungie Township
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.
